Finger game

ABSTRACT

A finger game comprising the combination of one or more assemblies of three dimensional elements which are respectively suspended by a filament having a length substantially greater than diameter from thimbles attached to the individual fingers on one or both hands of a user. The suspended elements are manipulated into specific configrations by suitable movements of the user&#39;&#39;s fingers. Each element may have magnets embedded therein to attract or repel adjacent elements.

United States Patent [191 Ghovanloo [451 Dec. 24, 1974 FINGER GAME [76] Inventor: Massud K. Ghovanloo, 241

- Shoreward Dr., Great Neck, NY.

[22] Filed: May 15, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 253,019

[52] US. Cl. 273/1 M, 273/1 R, 273/157 R, 272/67 [51] Int. Cl. A63f 9/00 [58] Field of Search... 273/1 R, 1 M, 157 R, 153 R, 273/156, 805, 95 A; 35/22 R, 29 R; 272/67;

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 535,220 3/1895 Osterhout 272/67 2,570,625 10/1951 Zimmerman et al 273/156 UX 3,355,226 11/1967 Portz 273/80.5 X 3,597,099 8/1971 Tollin Nichols 273/153 R Bryant 35/22 R X Primary ExaminerAnton O. Oechsle Assistant Examiner-Paul E. Shapiro Attorney, Agent, or Firm-J. D. Dainow [57] ABSTRACT 6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures FINGER GAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Games or puzzles requiring manipulative skill of the user have become very common. They have been designed both to test the muscular coordination as well as the patience of the individual trying to complete the object of the game or puzzle. Such devices may also be used as physical therapy aids where coordination must be developed as part of a rehabilitative process. This invention entails the coordination of finger movements to achieve the specific object of the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The device consists of five elements each attached by a string to a different finger holder. The finger holders are respectively attached to each finger on one hand. The object of the game is to position the five independent elements which are individually suspended from the fingers by manipulating the five fingers of the hand so attached. In an alternate embodiment of the invention the suspended elements might contain magnets to make them mutually attractive or repellant and therefore make the task of arranging said elements in a particular pattern slightly easier or more difficult.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the preferred form of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the invention after the respective elements have been properly arranged.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1 the numeral designates in its entirety one individual assembly adapted to be attached to the extremity of one finger of the user. The attachment is made by means of a thimble portion 11 formed from a resilient material having an open end designed to accomodate fingers of different size and width. The actual construction of the finger thimble is not part of the present invention. A three-dimensional geometric element 13 is suspended from the bottom end of the thimble ll by means of a wire or filament 12 which has length substantially greater than diameter. Length L is also substantially greater than height h, of the thimble 11 or k of the element 13. The point of the attachment of the bottom end of the wire or filament 12 to the top of said element is positioned at a point corresponding to the center of gravity of said element. In the preferred embodiment the attachment is made by means of a solid, i.e., generally stiff vertical member or function post 14. Although this member is not necessary to the invention, it is preferred as it imparts a definite stability to the suspended element 13 which operates to maintain said element in a horizontal position. The element 13 together with the support portion 14 may consist of a unitary plastic molded piece reinforced by the webbed portions 21, 22 and 23 illustrated in FIG. 2 by the dash lines. In an alternate embodiment the support piece 14 may be constructed from a heavier material such as cast metal or else the entire element 13 may be constructed from a heavy material to provide a more stable and hence easier to manipulate element.

Referring now to FIG. 2 the cooperation of element 13 with similar elements 24, 25, 26 and 27 may be more easily understood. In order to simplify this Figure only element 13 has been shown in phantom view. However, in the embodiment illustrated all of the elements would be constructed in the same manner and shape. Each element will be suspended from a different finger of a users hand.

In an alternate embodiment, magnets may be located in portions of said suspended elements to make the task of arranging them either easier or more difficult. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 a magnet 28 has been positioned at the point of juxtaposition of each of the five suspended elements. The magnets, if made mutually attractive, will simplify the orientation of the individual elements to form a star-shaped pattern as shown.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the invention which uses a modified thimble 31. This symbol includes an extension 32 which is co-axial with the finger portion inserted within the thimble, i.e., the part 32 extends generally vertically downward, when the thimble is oriented upright. The extension 32 enables players having smaller hands'to manipulate the suspended elements. Alternately the elements themselves might be made much larger than would be possible without such extensions being provided.

OPERATION The finger game consists of several assemblies 10 each connected to the extremity of one finger. Although the preferred embodiment of this invention would include five such assemblies, a different number may be used if such was desired. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 would require a user to arrange five pieces into a star-shaped pattern. As further seen in FIG. 2, each element has at least one lateral mating surface 29a, 29b, 290, etc. which corresponds in shape with a lateral mating surface of another element; the elements can be manipulated and positioned until two of said lateral surfaces are adjacent to each other, and a pattern is formed. To achieve this, one would horizontally extend his hand, palm down, and manipulate his fingers to achieve the desired pattern. The suspended individual elements could be arranged in cooperation with a flat surface or may be arranged while suspended in the air. Use of this device in conjunction with a flat surface would simplify the task of arranging the pieces, as each piece would be set to rest upon said flat surface after it was manipulated into the proper position.

While this device is particularly suited for use by a single person, two or more persons may work in time competition to achieve desired results.

It will become obvious after reading the Specification that many variations of this game are possible without departing from the scope of this invention. For example, the geometric shape of the pieces may be varied respective to eliciting particular finger movements which may be of special benefit to a user as a therapeutic device. Further, extremely large pieces may be used with the aid of finger holders having extensions constructed in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 3. The patterns formed by these suspended elements need not be symmetric or similar, but may even comprise pieces to an inter-locking puzzle. Another possible embodiment would include several separate geometric figures respectively suspended from the individual fingers of a users hand, each adapted to be inserted into matching holes on a flat surface.

It is also possible for the assemblies to be used in conjunction with fingers on both hands. Accordingly, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A finger game adapted to be used when suspended from fingers of a users hand, the game comprising at least two assemblies, each of which comprises a finger thimble of resilient material which defines a bottom end, and an open top end for accommodating a finger of a user inserted in the open end, a three-dimensional element having a center of gravity and having a junction part above said center of gravity when the element is in upright orientation, and a filament having its length substantially greater than its diameter, said filament having a first end fixed to the bottom of said thimble, and a second end fixed to the junction part of said element, the element of one of said assemblies having, when upright, on at least one exposed side, a mating surface of predetermined shape and the element of each other assembly having, when upright, on at least.

one exposed side, mating surface having a shape that generally complements the shape of a mating surface of another element, any two of said elements when in mating position having more than line contact.

2. A game according to claim 1 wherein each of said elements is weighted.

3. A game according to claim 1 wherein said junction part is generally stiff and extends generally vertically upward from said element when it is in upright orientation.

4. A game according to claim 1 wherein each of said thimbles comprises an extension that extends generally vertically downward from the bottom of the thimble, when it is oriented upright.

5. A finger game adapted to be used when suspended from fingers of a users hand, the game comprising at least two assemblies, each of which comprises a finger thimble of resilient material which defines a bottom end, and an open top end for accommodating a finger of a user inserted in the open end, a three-dimensional element having a center of gravity and having a junction part above said center of gravity when the element is in upright orientation, and a filament having a first end fixed to the bottom of said thimble, and a second end fixed to the junction part of said element, the element of one of said assemblies having, when upright, at least one, lateral mating surface, and the element of each other assembly having, when upright, at least one lateral mating surface that generally corresponds in shape with a mating surface of another element and each of said mating surfaces comprises magnet means each of which has attracting and repelling parts, said magnet means being selectively oriented on said elements to provide selected attraction and repulsion between said elements.

- 6. A game according to claim 5 wherein all the magnet means are oriented to produce the same magnetic effect selected between the two effects of attraction and repulsion. 

1. A finGer game adapted to be used when suspended from fingers of a user''s hand, the game comprising at least two assemblies, each of which comprises a finger thimble of resilient material which defines a bottom end, and an open top end for accommodating a finger of a user inserted in the open end, a three-dimensional element having a center of gravity and having a junction part above said center of gravity when the element is in upright orientation, and a filament having its length substantially greater than its diameter, said filament having a first end fixed to the bottom of said thimble, and a second end fixed to the junction part of said element, the element of one of said assemblies having, when upright, on at least one exposed side, a mating surface of predetermined shape and the element of each other assembly having, when upright, on at least one exposed side, mating surface having a shape that generally complements the shape of a mating surface of another element, any two of said elements when in mating position having more than line contact.
 2. A game according to claim 1 wherein each of said elements is weighted.
 3. A game according to claim 1 wherein said junction part is generally stiff and extends generally vertically upward from said element when it is in upright orientation.
 4. A game according to claim 1 wherein each of said thimbles comprises an extension that extends generally vertically downward from the bottom of the thimble, when it is oriented upright.
 5. A finger game adapted to be used when suspended from fingers of a user''s hand, the game comprising at least two assemblies, each of which comprises a finger thimble of resilient material which defines a bottom end, and an open top end for accommodating a finger of a user inserted in the open end, a three-dimensional element having a center of gravity and having a junction part above said center of gravity when the element is in upright orientation, and a filament having a first end fixed to the bottom of said thimble, and a second end fixed to the junction part of said element, the element of one of said assemblies having, when upright, at least one, lateral mating surface, and the element of each other assembly having, when upright, at least one lateral mating surface that generally corresponds in shape with a mating surface of another element and each of said mating surfaces comprises magnet means each of which has attracting and repelling parts, said magnet means being selectively oriented on said elements to provide selected attraction and repulsion between said elements.
 6. A game according to claim 5 wherein all the magnet means are oriented to produce the same magnetic effect selected between the two effects of attraction and repulsion. 